Bernadette was a remarkably human saint. A very positive character, with noble virtues but serious faults, her ascent to holiness was a patient and painful one of daily victory over herself. In this book, Father Petitot sets out to correct the popular view that this favoured child of the Blessed Virgin was, and remained, little more than an ignorant though docile peasant, remarkable solely in that she received the revelations of the Mother of God. By an intensive study of her religious life he reveals the story of a soul, receptive at all times to religious life he reveals the story of a soul, receptive at all times to spiritual truths, which grew and strengthened in holiness and heroic virtue, blossoming at length in the full flower of sanctity. St. Bernadette is a lovable figure, but Father Petitot, with his emphasis on her unshakable humility, her life good-humour and prayerfulness, shows, too, that her life contains the seeds of inspiration for those who desire to serve God.